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New Orleans Vampires: History and Legend
New Orleans has a reputation as a home for creatures of the night. Popular books, movies and television shows have cemented the city's connection to vampires in public imagination.
Rumors swirled about the fate of the Casket Girls, a group of mysterious maidens traveling to the New World from France with peculiar casket-shaped boxes. A charismatic man who moved to the French Quarter in the early 1900s eerily resembled a European aristocrat of one hundred years prior bearing the same name. A pair of brothers terrorized the town with their desire to feed on living human blood during the Great Depression. Marita Woywod Crandle investigates the origins of these legends so intricately woven through New Orleans's rich history.
Rumors swirled about the fate of the Casket Girls, a group of mysterious maidens traveling to the New World from France with peculiar casket-shaped boxes. A charismatic man who moved to the French Quarter in the early 1900s eerily resembled a European aristocrat of one hundred years prior bearing the same name. A pair of brothers terrorized the town with their desire to feed on living human blood during the Great Depression. Marita Woywod Crandle investigates the origins of these legends so intricately woven through New Orleans's rich history.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 3, 2017
Marita Woywod Crandle, owner of Boutique du Vampyre in New Orleans' French Quarter, tells the three most famous vampire legends of the city. What I appreciate about this book is that she doesn't embellish the legends with a lot of hearsay or "campfire lore," she just reports the basic legend and gives the fascinating history surrounding the times and people involved in the cases. In the case of the story of the casket girls, she actually debunks some popular versions of the story before going on to create her own fascinating scenario for what could have happened. In the case of Jacque St. Germain, she relates details surrounding the mysterious Comte St. Germain and speculations that they could be connected. In the case of the Carter Brothers, she discusses why well hidden vampires might have been forced to hunt more openly during the Great Depression. It's all fascinating stuff and a great read. Great for someone seeking grist for the mill of their own vampire tale, or just wanting some insight into the spookier side of New Orleans.
May 20, 2018
I purchased this book last month in New Orleans when visiting the author's Vampyre Boutique, which I heard about when she was on a paranormal podcast I'll occasionally listen to. While there, we learned that she also owns a hidden speakeasy on Bourbon that we visited and really had a great time.
Unfortunately, the book itself didn't totally live up to the experience of buying it.
Of the history and legend in the title, the book is more history than legend. That itself isn't a bad thing. I'm a big fan of history. But it left the book feeling dry given the subject matter. The legends of the vampires were all interesting, but only ended up taking up a couple pages per section and the rest delved into the history of it, and sometimes that history had little connection to the original myth. The story of the mysterious Carter brothers spent as much time discussing the history of pharmacies in New Orleans as it did the brothers. The section on mysterious Jacque St. Germain, who disappeared after a woman threw herself off the balcony of one of his parties, ended up discussing the French Comte St. Germain. The legend is they are the same person so the reasoning makes sense, but it lost the mysticism of the original story.
That, coupled with a writing style that had me often re-reading sentences to pick up the meaning, left me a tad disappointed. There are certainly interesting tidbits and fun takeaways from this read. And it's a digestible size. But style and how it jumped around didn't work for me.
If you're in New Orleans, definitely check out the store and if you can find your way to the speakeasy, which if you go to the store you should be easily able to, do that too. The book has some fun tidbits, but it's not essential to the rest of the experience.
Unfortunately, the book itself didn't totally live up to the experience of buying it.
Of the history and legend in the title, the book is more history than legend. That itself isn't a bad thing. I'm a big fan of history. But it left the book feeling dry given the subject matter. The legends of the vampires were all interesting, but only ended up taking up a couple pages per section and the rest delved into the history of it, and sometimes that history had little connection to the original myth. The story of the mysterious Carter brothers spent as much time discussing the history of pharmacies in New Orleans as it did the brothers. The section on mysterious Jacque St. Germain, who disappeared after a woman threw herself off the balcony of one of his parties, ended up discussing the French Comte St. Germain. The legend is they are the same person so the reasoning makes sense, but it lost the mysticism of the original story.
That, coupled with a writing style that had me often re-reading sentences to pick up the meaning, left me a tad disappointed. There are certainly interesting tidbits and fun takeaways from this read. And it's a digestible size. But style and how it jumped around didn't work for me.
If you're in New Orleans, definitely check out the store and if you can find your way to the speakeasy, which if you go to the store you should be easily able to, do that too. The book has some fun tidbits, but it's not essential to the rest of the experience.
July 18, 2023
I originally bought this for the Casket Girls stories and I have to say it didn't disappoint in that aspect.The two other stories were a bit of a let down but at least they were supposedly based on true accounts which still made them interesting.I also loved the author's true experience of these legends of darkness and I'm totally glad I finally got a chance to read it.
October 11, 2025
Still so mad I didn’t get turned into a vampire on my trip, but I guess I experienced a jail break and Annabelle the Doll’s mischief. Beggars can’t be choosers.
Also HIGHLY recommend Boutique du Vampyre, the Vampire Cafe, St Louis Cemetery No.1, Apothecary Museum, and Ursuline Convent as must see spots!
Also HIGHLY recommend Boutique du Vampyre, the Vampire Cafe, St Louis Cemetery No.1, Apothecary Museum, and Ursuline Convent as must see spots!
March 19, 2025
I love this book. I’ve been to New Orleans a few times and stayed in the French Quarter. I definitely want to go back and visit some of the locations mentioned, including the author’s shop, Boutique du Vampyre. Perhaps I’ve fallen prey to the spell described in the book: "Some say Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, had placed a spell on the city. Legend has it that her spell is all consuming, instilling a lust for returning to New Orleans to all those who visit here." I can’t deny it—I’ve considered moving there many times.
I was particularly intrigued by the author’s experience in the last chapter; it gave me goosebumps! This fun read, albeit gruesome at times, intertwines legend with logic and leaves behind an aura of mystique.✨
I was particularly intrigued by the author’s experience in the last chapter; it gave me goosebumps! This fun read, albeit gruesome at times, intertwines legend with logic and leaves behind an aura of mystique.✨
January 10, 2022
Update: January 10, 2022
Reread this for the Vampyre Library Book club/personal research for the book I am writing. I loved relearning the interesting and mysterious vampire legends of the French Quarter. This time around, I thought of more questions to ask, but also reinspired for the love of New Orleans and vampires altogether. During the first read, I read this as a customer/consumer, and this time as a friend and employee of the author. So, I am extremely excited to interview Marita in the upcoming weeks.
Oct. 7, 2017:
Wow! Just wow!!! I just finished Marita's book. I am blown away. Blown away by her kindness for autographing my copy--with the special letter of her experience on the top floor of the Saint Ursuline Convent. Blown away by the celebrity foreword that literally, freaking gave me chills. Blown away by Marita's family lineage. Blown away by the time and effort my friend took to research and approve/disprove vampire fact and fiction in New Orleans. I think I have more questions now than I ever did!
If you are an avid vampire fan, as I am, you must read this book. It is so so packed with vital information necessary to the history of vampires in North America, particularly New Orleans. I'm already ready to reread it! Simply fangtastic!
Reread this for the Vampyre Library Book club/personal research for the book I am writing. I loved relearning the interesting and mysterious vampire legends of the French Quarter. This time around, I thought of more questions to ask, but also reinspired for the love of New Orleans and vampires altogether. During the first read, I read this as a customer/consumer, and this time as a friend and employee of the author. So, I am extremely excited to interview Marita in the upcoming weeks.
Oct. 7, 2017:
Wow! Just wow!!! I just finished Marita's book. I am blown away. Blown away by her kindness for autographing my copy--with the special letter of her experience on the top floor of the Saint Ursuline Convent. Blown away by the celebrity foreword that literally, freaking gave me chills. Blown away by Marita's family lineage. Blown away by the time and effort my friend took to research and approve/disprove vampire fact and fiction in New Orleans. I think I have more questions now than I ever did!
If you are an avid vampire fan, as I am, you must read this book. It is so so packed with vital information necessary to the history of vampires in North America, particularly New Orleans. I'm already ready to reread it! Simply fangtastic!
September 29, 2017
I was lucky enough to snag one of the 100 Special Leather wrapped editions of this book. Marita Woywod Crandle regales us with history and Legends of Vampires in New Orleans and leaves us begging for MORE MORE MORE! But like Filet Mignon what we do get is DELICIOUS. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I also enjoy shopping at Boutique Du Vampyre both when in The French Quarter and via their website. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
https://youtu.be/_WkUM0a4bVk
Video link showing the unboxing of the Special edition.
https://youtu.be/_WkUM0a4bVk
Video link showing the unboxing of the Special edition.
July 31, 2018
A fantastic account of three specific vampire legends of New Orleans. Marita Woywod Crandle offers ample backstory, historical details regarding the broader setting in which the legends originated and expounds vividly on what the moods would have been at the times that events were said to have occurred. There are some wonderful descriptions and tidbits about New Orleans and the French Quarter that really make one want to visit, and this book seems like a sort of welcome mat to just such desires, offering intimate glimpses into the true heart of the city. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
April 28, 2022
Recibí este libro como regalo de un amigo del canal y del Musa Club Literario.
Es sin duda, un libro para tener de colección, en el que se someten a debate tres de las leyendas sobre vampiros que circulan por Nueva Orleans. La autora nos cuenta la leyenda tal como se conoce, y luego hace un análisis de sus protagonistas y del momento histórico.
Este libro no es para sacarle jugo por su calidad narrativa, sino que hay que leerlo para disfrutar del ambiente gótico de Nueva Orleans, y descubrir algo más de su historia.
Es sin duda, un libro para tener de colección, en el que se someten a debate tres de las leyendas sobre vampiros que circulan por Nueva Orleans. La autora nos cuenta la leyenda tal como se conoce, y luego hace un análisis de sus protagonistas y del momento histórico.
Este libro no es para sacarle jugo por su calidad narrativa, sino que hay que leerlo para disfrutar del ambiente gótico de Nueva Orleans, y descubrir algo más de su historia.
March 17, 2021
An excellent look into vampire legends from the French Quarter of New Orleans. Three are discussed, with proper research and a neutral voice that doesn't encourage nor discourage the legends. Woywod-Crandle is an excellent writer and storyteller, and I hope one day to seek out her Boutique du Vampyre either online or in person. A must read for vampire enthusiasts!!!!
December 9, 2024
This was an excellent true historically accurate book along with all the antidotes and where they came from.
February 20, 2025
Quick read with lots of history and interesting tidbits about the city and its vampire legends! I recommend before you visit
February 13, 2022
Se m'ha fet curt, però ja és un llibre prou curt. Relata algunes de les llegendes vampíriques de Nova Orleans i les acompanya amb imatges. Molt interessant!
October 20, 2017
I enjoyed this very much! A great companion for your next trip to NOLA! This author is thorough and detailed in her descriptions of these vampire legends. Very interesting, makes me want to return to New Orleans asap!
June 29, 2021
Term Paper?
If grading this “book” I would have to give it an F. This attempt to create a readable history of three vampire tales in New Orleans failed. A warning label should be included on the cover. Avoid at all cost.
If grading this “book” I would have to give it an F. This attempt to create a readable history of three vampire tales in New Orleans failed. A warning label should be included on the cover. Avoid at all cost.
August 24, 2021
Interesting
As a fellow Louisianan, I am interested in all things New Orleans. This book had some interesting tales but I found it was not feet succinct.. kinda wandered all over the place and then ended abruptly
As a fellow Louisianan, I am interested in all things New Orleans. This book had some interesting tales but I found it was not feet succinct.. kinda wandered all over the place and then ended abruptly
December 19, 2017
New Orleans Vampires
Author: Marita Woywod Crandle
Publisher: Haunted America - History Press
Date: 2017
Pgs: 241
Disposition: Irving Public Library - Irving, TX - Hoopla e-book
_________________________________________________
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
Vampires, Dracula. Lestat. Bram Stoker. Anne Rice. New Orleans. A heady mix. From the earliest days, Louisiana colonial history and New Orleans entire civic life span has been colored by a dose of the occult. Things go bump in the night. Some of them are hungry. Some have fangs. Some walk the night. Some want your blood. Some your flesh. The Casket Girls. The Comte St. Germain. The Carter Brothers. The origins of these legends are explored here.
_________________________________________________
Genre:
Nonfiction
Politics
Social Sciences
Folklore
Mythology
History
Americas
United States
Louisiana
New Orleans
South
Religion
Spirituality
Occult
Supernatural
Why this book:
Vampires. New Orleans. Thank Anne Rice for my being sucked into this. Helped that it took stylistic nods for the cover that echo back to Rice’s Vampire Chronicles.
_________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
The sad thing here is that St. Germain’s story is treated even shorter than the Casket Girls. When the story is told, it flows full force, but the background and historical pieces, while not falling flat, do tend to not be as well done or as interesting.
Favorite Scene / Quote:
The personal vampire story about the strange customer with his cane is well told. And it reads like the kind of thing LeStat would do were he real. Not Dracula, but definitely LeStat.
Hmm Moments:
The chapters regarding St. Germain read totally different than the Casket Girls chapters. You can tell which are the author’s favorite stories and which are either included for completeness sake or for filler.
When the Casket Girls story is finally put together, it is fascinating. This is why it has held a spot in the occult history of New Orleans. Was Sister Gertrude one of the Undead too when she returned from France with the Ursulines to do her penance for the horrible things she had done to her fellow travellers on the Casket Girls original trip?
Alchemist, vampire, immortal, wealthy standoffish patron...surprised that Comte de St. Germain didn’t end up burned at the stake.
WTF Moments:
There were elitist prigs in France in charge of sending women to New Orleans to try and stabilize the community. On speaking of the forced deportation of women and bait and switch tactics used to lure some of them, “This clan of hoodlum women were anything but desirable…” is the kind of thing that an elitist prig would say. Hoodlum women help make the world go round. I’m equally certain that the founding mothers of most societies have a fairly large quotient of “hoodlum women” among them. Thank God.
Meh / PFFT Moments:
Instead of building on the previous legends, the early parts of the Casket Girls section spend their time tearing down some of the mystery, going more history than horror.
The book blows holes in the Casket Girls legend before settle down to tell the story.
The Blood Brothers/Carter Brothers story is of recent enough vintage to be more true crime than vampire. Even with the admission of the brothers to the police that they were vampires. Would have been a better twist if the brothers had turned out to be familiars in the Igor vein.
Wisdom:
With the state of health of many of the forced deportees to begin with and shipboard hygiene being what it was in that era, of course, the Casket Girls ship had a high mortality rate, all ships would have. And if they survived the trip, they were delivered to the early 18th century miasma that was New Orleans; swamp, death, disease, before we even consider the predatory nature of their fellow travellers and the brigands, pirates, and monsters hiding in human flesh, they would encounter once they arrived. The death toll in New Orleans must have been horrendous.
_________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Hit and miss.
Editorial Assessment:
Margarita’s chapter in the Casket Girls almost got me to give up on the book. Necessary info, maybe, but could have been shorter or glossed into another chapter.
The story of The Comte de St. Germain is interesting. But as presented here comes across disjointed. The chronology being flipped, telling the story of the New World St. Germain and, then, the European. A chronological telling would have given the story more flavor. And would have ended with the disappearance of the New Orleans one, instead of the unattended funeral of the one in Germany, if the one who died in Germany even was The Comte St. Germain.
The Carter Brothers story is weak sauce in context with the Casket Girls and The Comte St. Germain. They do not measure up to the other vampire legends of New Orleans.
Would have been well served to have left the Carter Brothers out entirely or treated them with the same short shrift as Varney.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
it’s alright
_________________________________________________
Author: Marita Woywod Crandle
Publisher: Haunted America - History Press
Date: 2017
Pgs: 241
Disposition: Irving Public Library - Irving, TX - Hoopla e-book
_________________________________________________
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
Vampires, Dracula. Lestat. Bram Stoker. Anne Rice. New Orleans. A heady mix. From the earliest days, Louisiana colonial history and New Orleans entire civic life span has been colored by a dose of the occult. Things go bump in the night. Some of them are hungry. Some have fangs. Some walk the night. Some want your blood. Some your flesh. The Casket Girls. The Comte St. Germain. The Carter Brothers. The origins of these legends are explored here.
_________________________________________________
Genre:
Nonfiction
Politics
Social Sciences
Folklore
Mythology
History
Americas
United States
Louisiana
New Orleans
South
Religion
Spirituality
Occult
Supernatural
Why this book:
Vampires. New Orleans. Thank Anne Rice for my being sucked into this. Helped that it took stylistic nods for the cover that echo back to Rice’s Vampire Chronicles.
_________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
The sad thing here is that St. Germain’s story is treated even shorter than the Casket Girls. When the story is told, it flows full force, but the background and historical pieces, while not falling flat, do tend to not be as well done or as interesting.
Favorite Scene / Quote:
The personal vampire story about the strange customer with his cane is well told. And it reads like the kind of thing LeStat would do were he real. Not Dracula, but definitely LeStat.
Hmm Moments:
The chapters regarding St. Germain read totally different than the Casket Girls chapters. You can tell which are the author’s favorite stories and which are either included for completeness sake or for filler.
When the Casket Girls story is finally put together, it is fascinating. This is why it has held a spot in the occult history of New Orleans. Was Sister Gertrude one of the Undead too when she returned from France with the Ursulines to do her penance for the horrible things she had done to her fellow travellers on the Casket Girls original trip?
Alchemist, vampire, immortal, wealthy standoffish patron...surprised that Comte de St. Germain didn’t end up burned at the stake.
WTF Moments:
There were elitist prigs in France in charge of sending women to New Orleans to try and stabilize the community. On speaking of the forced deportation of women and bait and switch tactics used to lure some of them, “This clan of hoodlum women were anything but desirable…” is the kind of thing that an elitist prig would say. Hoodlum women help make the world go round. I’m equally certain that the founding mothers of most societies have a fairly large quotient of “hoodlum women” among them. Thank God.
Meh / PFFT Moments:
Instead of building on the previous legends, the early parts of the Casket Girls section spend their time tearing down some of the mystery, going more history than horror.
The book blows holes in the Casket Girls legend before settle down to tell the story.
The Blood Brothers/Carter Brothers story is of recent enough vintage to be more true crime than vampire. Even with the admission of the brothers to the police that they were vampires. Would have been a better twist if the brothers had turned out to be familiars in the Igor vein.
Wisdom:
With the state of health of many of the forced deportees to begin with and shipboard hygiene being what it was in that era, of course, the Casket Girls ship had a high mortality rate, all ships would have. And if they survived the trip, they were delivered to the early 18th century miasma that was New Orleans; swamp, death, disease, before we even consider the predatory nature of their fellow travellers and the brigands, pirates, and monsters hiding in human flesh, they would encounter once they arrived. The death toll in New Orleans must have been horrendous.
_________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Hit and miss.
Editorial Assessment:
Margarita’s chapter in the Casket Girls almost got me to give up on the book. Necessary info, maybe, but could have been shorter or glossed into another chapter.
The story of The Comte de St. Germain is interesting. But as presented here comes across disjointed. The chronology being flipped, telling the story of the New World St. Germain and, then, the European. A chronological telling would have given the story more flavor. And would have ended with the disappearance of the New Orleans one, instead of the unattended funeral of the one in Germany, if the one who died in Germany even was The Comte St. Germain.
The Carter Brothers story is weak sauce in context with the Casket Girls and The Comte St. Germain. They do not measure up to the other vampire legends of New Orleans.
Would have been well served to have left the Carter Brothers out entirely or treated them with the same short shrift as Varney.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
it’s alright
_________________________________________________
May 25, 2020
New Orleans Vampires: History and Legend is a 2017 book written by Marita Woywod Crandle, which focuses on three urban legends and separates the facts from the fiction.
I enjoyed the beginning of Marita's book. You can tell from the first page that she loves the city, vampire subculture, and the three urban legends. She was originally a Californian who gave it up to become a New Orleans transplant and runs the Boutique du Vampyres with her husband (who is a New Orleans native).
However, as the book progresses, it loses some steam.
Part I: The Casket Girls. This is my favorite part of the book. Marita shows how urban legend came to be. She demonstrates how a simple misinterpretation can change the meaning of a word or sentence. As well as show the culture of New Orleans at the time of the Casket Girls myth was created. Then Marita reconstructs the legend using the facts.
Part I is where her talent for storytelling and investigating shines.
Part II: The Comte St. Germain. This part was still good, but a bit disappointing. She presented the facts as to why people thought Comte St. Germain was a vampire. He was quite a character who had a lot of connection to royalty. However, it wasn't as engaging or intriguing as The Casket Girls.
Part III: The Carter Brothers. I know where Marita was trying to do, but it was underwhelming. I felt this was the weakest out of all the urban legends. It didn't have the storytelling or character like the other two.
Part IV: Vampire Evolution Over the Centuries. She should have just left it out.
There were some errors in the book (I purchased the 2nd edition) such as:
1. Carefree New Orleans, 1920 (Page 86). Maybe I'm seeing things, but that picture looks 1950s.
2. And using the following sentence: St. Germain fascinated his guests with stories of France, Italy, Africa and even Egypt. So...Africa is a continent, not a country. And Egypt is in Africa. I just want to point that out so when the 3rd edition is released, it can be updated.
Overall, the book was a pretty good read. I learned some things about New Orleans' myths and history. It makes me want to visit the city in the future, as well as to visit Marita's Boutique du Vampyres. However, I still feel disappointed that the book didn't live up to the hype in my head.
I enjoyed the beginning of Marita's book. You can tell from the first page that she loves the city, vampire subculture, and the three urban legends. She was originally a Californian who gave it up to become a New Orleans transplant and runs the Boutique du Vampyres with her husband (who is a New Orleans native).
However, as the book progresses, it loses some steam.
Part I: The Casket Girls. This is my favorite part of the book. Marita shows how urban legend came to be. She demonstrates how a simple misinterpretation can change the meaning of a word or sentence. As well as show the culture of New Orleans at the time of the Casket Girls myth was created. Then Marita reconstructs the legend using the facts.
Part I is where her talent for storytelling and investigating shines.
Part II: The Comte St. Germain. This part was still good, but a bit disappointing. She presented the facts as to why people thought Comte St. Germain was a vampire. He was quite a character who had a lot of connection to royalty. However, it wasn't as engaging or intriguing as The Casket Girls.
Part III: The Carter Brothers. I know where Marita was trying to do, but it was underwhelming. I felt this was the weakest out of all the urban legends. It didn't have the storytelling or character like the other two.
Part IV: Vampire Evolution Over the Centuries. She should have just left it out.
There were some errors in the book (I purchased the 2nd edition) such as:
1. Carefree New Orleans, 1920 (Page 86). Maybe I'm seeing things, but that picture looks 1950s.
2. And using the following sentence: St. Germain fascinated his guests with stories of France, Italy, Africa and even Egypt. So...Africa is a continent, not a country. And Egypt is in Africa. I just want to point that out so when the 3rd edition is released, it can be updated.
Overall, the book was a pretty good read. I learned some things about New Orleans' myths and history. It makes me want to visit the city in the future, as well as to visit Marita's Boutique du Vampyres. However, I still feel disappointed that the book didn't live up to the hype in my head.
September 2, 2022
This was a neat little book and a quick read.
A little back story... I heard about this book one evening in June 2022 while standing on the sidewalk looking at the actual Ursuline Convent building in New Orleans. Our tour guide (shout out to Jeremiah with French Quarter Phantoms Ghost Tours) told us the story of the Casquette Girls and how they contributed to the lore about vampires in New Orleans long before anyone heard of Bram Stoker. He mentioned Marita Crandle and how in her research for this book, she had tracked down some of the only illustrations of the Casquette Girls that he had ever seen. I took a note in my phone and eventually, through an inter-library loan from Irving, Texas, here it is.
The book is divided up into three main stories -- the Casquette Girls, Comte St. Germain, and the Carter Brothers -- but she also touches on the fictional side of New Orleans vampires via Anne Rice (no mention is made of Poppy Z. Brite, but her early books were among those who piqued the bloodsucking interest of myself and the woman who is now my wife. It's clear that Ms. Crandle is a self-taught historian, but her research is no less complete for that. In fact, she makes a pretty compelling case that some past historians missed the mark by making assumptions, conflating two or more incidents into a single event, etc.
The traffic in New Orleans drove me nuts and I told my wife if we went back, I wanted someone else to be behind the wheel. But after reading this book, I'm actually tempted to go back, meet Ms. Crandle, go to one of the goth/vampire bars, etc. We'll see...
A little back story... I heard about this book one evening in June 2022 while standing on the sidewalk looking at the actual Ursuline Convent building in New Orleans. Our tour guide (shout out to Jeremiah with French Quarter Phantoms Ghost Tours) told us the story of the Casquette Girls and how they contributed to the lore about vampires in New Orleans long before anyone heard of Bram Stoker. He mentioned Marita Crandle and how in her research for this book, she had tracked down some of the only illustrations of the Casquette Girls that he had ever seen. I took a note in my phone and eventually, through an inter-library loan from Irving, Texas, here it is.
The book is divided up into three main stories -- the Casquette Girls, Comte St. Germain, and the Carter Brothers -- but she also touches on the fictional side of New Orleans vampires via Anne Rice (no mention is made of Poppy Z. Brite, but her early books were among those who piqued the bloodsucking interest of myself and the woman who is now my wife. It's clear that Ms. Crandle is a self-taught historian, but her research is no less complete for that. In fact, she makes a pretty compelling case that some past historians missed the mark by making assumptions, conflating two or more incidents into a single event, etc.
The traffic in New Orleans drove me nuts and I told my wife if we went back, I wanted someone else to be behind the wheel. But after reading this book, I'm actually tempted to go back, meet Ms. Crandle, go to one of the goth/vampire bars, etc. We'll see...
September 19, 2023
The author presents the story of the Casket Girls, some girls were travelling to New Orleans in casket shape boxes as the story goes and apparently they were sleeping in the same boxes in an attic. Weird. Then she talks about Jacques St. Germain, a charismatic man who moved to the French Quarter in the early 1900s eerily resembled a European aristocrat of one hundred years prior bearing the same name. A guy who throws luxurious dinners in which he doesn’t eat one bite. In his house a girl jumps down the balcony, hurt she screams that he bit her neck, the police said to him to come to the station in the morning to make a statement but Jacques never did, he disappeared the way he bargen in years ago.
What attracted me to this book, more than the love of vampires which I clearly bare, was the fact that the author is a descendent of Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Also her name Woywod is translated to voievod, a romanian 100% word. She also moved from California to New Orleans for a job and she discovered her life, she is the owner of Boutique du Vampyre in New Orleans' French Quarter.
It’s a good book, easy to read, short and full of history. I highly recommended guys, it’s Halloween let’s invoke them.
What attracted me to this book, more than the love of vampires which I clearly bare, was the fact that the author is a descendent of Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Also her name Woywod is translated to voievod, a romanian 100% word. She also moved from California to New Orleans for a job and she discovered her life, she is the owner of Boutique du Vampyre in New Orleans' French Quarter.
It’s a good book, easy to read, short and full of history. I highly recommended guys, it’s Halloween let’s invoke them.
September 9, 2018
Picked up this awesome book while visiting Boutique Du Vampyre in New Orleans in August.
I couldn't resist a signed copy of a book on vampires, plus I always was curious to know and find out the truth.
However, this book was quite intriguing I felt as though a lot of words and sentences were repeated.
I'm not sure if that was intentional or because of lack of information.
But I did enjoy learning about the city and it's Casket Girls, and Saint Germaine
My favorite park of this book was the ending.
When Marita mentions back to her first Boutique Du Vampyre location near the Saint Cathedral Church, where she encounters in a man she presumed to be a Vampire.
That part gave me chills and helps keep the faith and hope for all us believers out there.
I do look forward to reading more upcoming novels from Marita on New Orleans and Vampires in the future, and HIGHLY recommend visiting Boutique Du Vampyre while visiting the beautiful city of New Orleans.
I couldn't resist a signed copy of a book on vampires, plus I always was curious to know and find out the truth.
However, this book was quite intriguing I felt as though a lot of words and sentences were repeated.
I'm not sure if that was intentional or because of lack of information.
But I did enjoy learning about the city and it's Casket Girls, and Saint Germaine
My favorite park of this book was the ending.
When Marita mentions back to her first Boutique Du Vampyre location near the Saint Cathedral Church, where she encounters in a man she presumed to be a Vampire.
That part gave me chills and helps keep the faith and hope for all us believers out there.
I do look forward to reading more upcoming novels from Marita on New Orleans and Vampires in the future, and HIGHLY recommend visiting Boutique Du Vampyre while visiting the beautiful city of New Orleans.
November 19, 2024
Vampire History of New Orleans
An interesting journey into the history and legends of vampires in New Orleans. The author indicates her fascination with the vampire legend and her family origins with Vlad the Impaler. The main 3 legends are presented. The origins of the legends are explored. The viability of the legends is explained by the atmosphere and the initial French immigration allowing the city and state to grow. Subsequently, the literary expansion of vampires in New Orleans lead to increased tourism and growth of the supernatural in the region. The book provides a good background, but is more of an overview. There is detail on the 3 legends and a general discussion of current activities in the city for tourist information. As a reader I was intrigued by the history and experienced a bit of disappointment with the limited discussion of current trends. The book is a quick read.
An interesting journey into the history and legends of vampires in New Orleans. The author indicates her fascination with the vampire legend and her family origins with Vlad the Impaler. The main 3 legends are presented. The origins of the legends are explored. The viability of the legends is explained by the atmosphere and the initial French immigration allowing the city and state to grow. Subsequently, the literary expansion of vampires in New Orleans lead to increased tourism and growth of the supernatural in the region. The book provides a good background, but is more of an overview. There is detail on the 3 legends and a general discussion of current activities in the city for tourist information. As a reader I was intrigued by the history and experienced a bit of disappointment with the limited discussion of current trends. The book is a quick read.
January 31, 2018
Just the book I was looking for!! I went to New Orleans a few weeks ago because I am studying New Orleans vampires for my honors thesis at the University of Arkansas. I visited Marita's store, Boutique du Vampyre, and purchased her book. New Orleans Vampires: History and Legend gives a detailed description of three of the vampire legends in New Orleans but also recounts Marita's connection to vampires and tells a little bit about the history of vampires in literature and film. All this to say, I will be citing Marita many time throughout my thesis!
April 25, 2022
This books cover some of the Vampire Legends that originated in the New Orleans area over the last several centuries. From the casket girls to a pair of brothers that terroized the town, Crandle explains how these rumors got started and how tbey have held up in the area over the years.
This was a very short book. It was fairly good - I honestly did not know this about the New Orleans area. I have been there, but it has been almost 20 years, and at the time I had a young child so Vampire tours wouldn't have been on the list. I might need to revisit the area now and take one of these tours. Reading the book got a good sense of the people who claimed this lifestyle and what lead the locals at the time to believe they were actual vampires. Glad I found this one.
This was a very short book. It was fairly good - I honestly did not know this about the New Orleans area. I have been there, but it has been almost 20 years, and at the time I had a young child so Vampire tours wouldn't have been on the list. I might need to revisit the area now and take one of these tours. Reading the book got a good sense of the people who claimed this lifestyle and what lead the locals at the time to believe they were actual vampires. Glad I found this one.
May 11, 2025
2 stars for this cute little history of vampire sightings and legends in New Orleans, including a spooky personal experience from the author herself!
At first, I was deeply unimpressed with this book– it's not the most well-crafted book, with a smattering of typos and repetitive, unrefined descriptions that give it more of a class project kind of feel– but once you get past the oddly padded/inflated story of The Casket Girls, it picks up and becomes more of your standard Local Legends souvenir type book. This was cute! I learned...a lil bit. Not much that feels very credible/well researched beyond what you'd hear on a very basic tour of New Orleans. I was hoping this would be better quality, but for a free Kindle Unlimited read, maybe I should've lowered my expectations.
At first, I was deeply unimpressed with this book– it's not the most well-crafted book, with a smattering of typos and repetitive, unrefined descriptions that give it more of a class project kind of feel– but once you get past the oddly padded/inflated story of The Casket Girls, it picks up and becomes more of your standard Local Legends souvenir type book. This was cute! I learned...a lil bit. Not much that feels very credible/well researched beyond what you'd hear on a very basic tour of New Orleans. I was hoping this would be better quality, but for a free Kindle Unlimited read, maybe I should've lowered my expectations.
February 5, 2023
Great book. The server at the Vampire Cafe told me about the book so what did I do...went shopping to the Boutique du Vampire and had to buy it....plus ita signed. It was nice to read more details about the Casket girls and ursaline nuns as there wasn't much detail when I did haunted tours back in 2017 so it was nice to have the missing spots filled in. Plus didn't know too much about the Carter Brothers and St Germaine so it was great.
November 30, 2025
Dark, Addictive, and Impossible to Put Down. A Masterful Dive Into New Orleans’ Vampire Lore
This book doesn’t just explore New Orleans’ vampire legends it resurrects them. Marita Woywod Crandle peels back the city’s history with surgical precision, unearthing the eerie mystery of the Casket Girls, the chilling reappearance of a so-called immortal aristocrat, and the bloodthirsty brothers who terrorized the French Quarter during the Depression.
This book doesn’t just explore New Orleans’ vampire legends it resurrects them. Marita Woywod Crandle peels back the city’s history with surgical precision, unearthing the eerie mystery of the Casket Girls, the chilling reappearance of a so-called immortal aristocrat, and the bloodthirsty brothers who terrorized the French Quarter during the Depression.
January 30, 2018
Picked up at Boutique du Vampyre, signed by the author (who is an owner of the shop)
Really enjoyed the read. The author did a lot of research into the history of the 3 more famous "vampire cases" in New Orleans.
It was great to get some details on the stories we were told on the Vampire and Ghost Tours while visiting New Orleans. Seeing how things came about and how they have grown since.
The pictures inside of various locations, people and items are interesting and I wish I had read the book before leaving the city as there are several places I want to visit and check out now that I have learned about them.
If you enjoy vampires, history or just facts about New Orleans, this is a very good book to read.
Really enjoyed the read. The author did a lot of research into the history of the 3 more famous "vampire cases" in New Orleans.
It was great to get some details on the stories we were told on the Vampire and Ghost Tours while visiting New Orleans. Seeing how things came about and how they have grown since.
The pictures inside of various locations, people and items are interesting and I wish I had read the book before leaving the city as there are several places I want to visit and check out now that I have learned about them.
If you enjoy vampires, history or just facts about New Orleans, this is a very good book to read.
April 28, 2018
This was a great look at some of the best legends of vampires linked to New Orleans. Ms. Crandle presents the legends and compares them to actual fact. I enjoyed this immensely. Having taken the tours in New Orleans personally, this brought the moments right back to me! This is a great quick read for fans of lore, New Orleans, and vampires.
August 14, 2018
I was a First Read Winner of this Book and I really enjoyed it. The Author goes into detail about 3 of the most talked about Vampire folklores in New Orleans history and how they came to be, which I found very interesting. Its a relative quick read and I found it very entertaining. This would make a great gift for any Vampire fan.
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